[Archived] Commodity Container Assistance Program FAQ

About CCAP

What is the Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP)?

Ongoing market disruptions have created logistical challenges associated with the availability and flow of containers to transport agricultural commodities, which has prevented or delayed American-grown agricultural products from reaching their markets.

USDA’s Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP) currently includes a partnership with the Port of Oakland in California and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) in Seattle and Tacoma. The Farm Service Agency is providing per-container payments at eligible ports to help cover additional logistics costs and ensure that American-grown products can once again move efficiently through supply chains to global markets.  

The Agricultural Marketing Service is covering a percentage of the start-up costs for the “pop up” site in the Port of Oakland and the Port of Houston. The Port of Houston is not eligible for CCAP payments through the Farm Service Agency.  

What USDA agency is administering CCAP?

CCAP is administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency out of the National Office.

Where are the designated ‘Pop-Up’ sites at the ports?

Below are links to maps of both port sites:

• Port of Oakland Charles P. Howard Terminal (Howard Terminal)
• Port of Seattle Terminal 46
• Port of Tacoma West Hylebos Terminal

When does the signup period for CCAP close?

CCAP applications must be submitted by January 31, 2023.

What is the eligibility period for CCAP?

USDA’s Farm Service Agency will make payments to eligible owners or designated marketing agents of U.S. agricultural commodities based on the number of eligible shipping containers utilized from March 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, from the Port of Oakland or the Northwest Seaport Alliance in Seattle and Tacoma to ship agricultural commodities to their designated markets on container ships.

Are other ports eligible?

At this time, USDA only has partnerships with the Port of Oakland and the Northwest Seaport Alliance in Seattle and Tacoma.

USDA continues to seek opportunities to partner with additional ports or other intermodal container facilities to help American farmers and agricultural producers move their product to market and manage the short-term challenges while pressing the ocean carriers to restore better levels of service.

Are CCAP funds a loan that must be repaid? Is there a fee to apply?

No. CCAP is not a loan program and there is no fee to apply.

What is the funding source for CCAP?

The Farm Service Agency National Office is administering the direct payments which will be funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation.

Program Eligibility

Who is eligible for CCAP?

FSA will make payments to eligible owners or designated marketing agents of U.S. agricultural commodities based on the number of eligible shipping containers utilized from March 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, from the Port of Oakland Howard Terminal or the Port of Seattle Terminal 46 to ship agricultural commodities to their designated markets on container ships.

What commodities are eligible for CCAP?

Eligible commodities include agricultural commodities (other than tobacco) which are grown or produced in the United States for food, feed, or fiber, and products made from those commodities, including certain forestry products. View a list of eligible and ineligible commodities.

What containers are eligible for CCAP?

Only containers delivered filled to the designated terminals for the “Pop-Up” sites at the ports are eligible for CCAP. The Port of Oakland Howard Terminal is the only terminal eligible for an empty pick-up payment of $125 per container at this time. Containers from other terminals at the participating ports are not eligible for CCAP.

Program Payments

How will CCAP payments be calculated?

Through the partnerships with the Port of Oakland and the NWSA, FSA will offer payments of $200 per container for dry containers and $400 per container for refrigerated shipping containers (generally referred to as “reefer containers”) to help address the logistical costs of moving a container twice – first to the preposition site, and second to the terminal loading the vessel – along with the costs associated with temporary storage.

FSA will also provide $125 per container payment to partially assist agricultural commodity owners for the additional logistical expenses associated with picking up empty shipping containers to be filled with agricultural commodities and products at the Port of Oakland.

CCAP payments will be calculated as follows: number of containers picked up in the designated port multiplied by the respective CCAP payment rate for that type of container.

For example, if the owner of agricultural goods stored at a designated port terminal submits an application specifying 10 dry containers and 3 reefer containers for the month of March 2022, FSA will calculate the payment by multiplying 10 × $200 for the dry storage containers, and 3 × $400 for the reefer containers, for a total payment of $3,200 for that month.

When are CCAP payments expected to begin?

USDA will make monthly payments or for any combination of months, as requested based on the applications, to eligible owners or designated marketing agents of U.S. agricultural products based on the number of eligible shipping containers they used starting retroactively back to March 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

Is there a payment limitation for CCAP?

No. There is no payment limitation for CCAP.

Are CCAP payments going to be counted as taxable income?

The Farm Service Agency reports program payments to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and program participants on a CCC-1099-G. This report is a service to help program participants report taxable income. Please consult with the IRS or your tax preparer for any additional questions on how this income impacts your business.

How to Apply

How can I prepare to apply for CCAP?

A Unique Entity ID (12 alphanumeric characters assigned by SAM.gov) is required. Applicants that wish to receive payment by direct deposit must complete SAM.gov registration online at sam.gov/content/home and provide bank account information. If bank account information is not provided applicants will be mailed a paper check from the Department of Treasury which will delay payment processing.

How do I apply for CCAP?

To apply for CCAP, applicants must complete form FSA-862, Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP) Application according to FSA-862 instructions and submit the form to the FSA National Office by email to SM.FPAC.FSA.CCAP@usda.gov. Only one email account may be used per applicant for submitting monthly applications.

How will FSA verify payments?

Payments will be made in arrears and verified with terminal records.